xenophobic jerk

[trochee]

I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English.

might as well say "English -- the language the Bible was written in". Because Francis Scott Key has the direct line on the Original Intent, dontcha know.

I wonder if he's upset about the modifications to the melody too?

ETA: Erik Bakovic has more on Language Log.

Comments

[q-pheevr.livejournal.com]

I mean, it may not have anything to do with the United States, but it beats the hell out of rubbish like this:

And where is that band
Who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war
And the battle's confusion
A home and a country
Should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out
Their foul footsteps' pollution!

Tortuous syntax and a level of raw bloodlust matched (in the anthemic genre) only by "La Marseillaise." Is this really what Bush wants immigrants to learn about their adoptive country?

[trochee.livejournal.com]

I'm not even sure what that *means* ! but it's clear that the Klingons would approve.